Put your rent to work for your credit history
Rent reporting helps make on-time rent payments visible in your credit file — turning a monthly commitment you already pay into credit history lenders can recognise.
Browse by topic
Start with the question that matches your situation. Each page includes quick answers, practical next steps, and links to related topics.
Do you need landlord permission for rent reporting?
Usually no. Learn when landlord permission matters, what information is used, and how rent reporting works for UK renters.
Can you do rent reporting if you rent from a council or housing association?
Often yes. Learn what matters for verification, common payment patterns, and how to make your rent easier to detect and report.
Rent reporting: does it work if you pay a letting agent (not the landlord)?
Usually yes. Learn how verification works when you pay a letting agent, what can break detection, and how to set yourself up for success.
Can you do rent reporting if you pay rent to a housemate?
Paying a housemate can make rent harder to verify. Learn why, what you can do, and alternatives if your rent can’t be reliably detected.
Can rent reporting be backdated in the UK?
Usually no. Learn why backdating is uncommon, what “starting from now” means, and how to get the best results from month one.
Which UK credit agencies does rent reporting go to?
Rent reporting is not identical across agencies. Learn the differences between Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and what Wollit reports.
Do you need to change how you pay rent to start rent reporting?
Often no. Learn which payment methods are easiest to verify, what can break detection, and small changes that improve success.
Rent not detected for rent reporting? Here are the most common reasons
If your rent isn’t detected, it’s usually due to payee name, reference changes, split payments, or third-party transfers. Here’s how to troubleshoot.
Does paying rent affect your credit score in the UK?
Sometimes. Rent can affect your credit score when it’s reported and included in a scoring model. Here’s what that means, and how to make rent count.
Does paying rent build credit history in the UK?
It can, when your rent payment history is reported to credit agencies. Learn what “credit history” means and how rent reporting fits into it.
How to get your rent payments onto your credit report (UK)
Rent doesn’t always show by default. Learn the practical steps to make rent count toward your credit history, and what to check once reporting starts.
How long does rent reporting take to show on your credit file?
Rent reporting usually takes a few weeks to appear. Learn what to expect, what “normal delays” look like, and what to do if nothing shows up.
What happens if you miss a rent payment (and you’re rent reporting)?
If rent is being reported, missed payments can be negative. Learn how to think about risk, what to do immediately, and how to recover.
Rent reporting and being mortgage-ready: how it can help renters
Mortgage lenders care about reliability and affordability. Learn how rent reporting can strengthen your profile and what else to do.
How to improve your credit score as a renter (without doing anything risky)
Renters can build credit without new debt. The safest steps: rent reporting, bills, utilisation, electoral roll, and avoiding common mistakes.
New to the UK? How rent can help you build credit history
If you’re new to the UK, your credit file can be thin. Learn how rent reporting can help build history and what other steps to take alongside it.
Thin credit file? Why rent reporting can be a high-leverage move for renters
A thin credit file means limited data for lenders. Learn how rent reporting can add positive payment history, and what else strengthens a thin file.
Prefer the short version?
If you're busy, start with the “how to get rent onto your credit report” guide, then the “how long it takes” page. That covers setup + expectations end-to-end.
Want definitions as you read?
These glossary pages explain the core concepts behind rent reporting: rent reporting itself, your credit report, and why payment history is so important.
Rent reporting FAQs
Does paying rent automatically improve my credit score?
Not automatically. Rent can influence your credit profile when it is reported and included in the score or lender model being used. The practical goal is to build verifiable rent payment history.
Which credit agencies does rent reporting go to?
It depends on the provider and the agency. Wollit reports rent to Experian and Equifax (not TransUnion).
How long does rent reporting take to appear?
It’s common for reporting to take a few weeks to show on your credit file, because reporting and file updates happen on schedules.
Put your rent to work
Learn how rent reporting works — then decide if it's right for you.
Put your rent to workNo credit check required. UK residents only. Terms apply.